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George W. Bush

George W. Bush Quotes

43rd U.S. President

George W. Bush served as the 43rd President of the United States, born on July 6, 1946. His presidency was marked by significant events such as the September 11 attacks and the Iraq War. Bush's political career and governance philosophy have been widely discussed and debated.

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Famous George W. Bush Quotes

“If I answer questions every time you ask one, expectations would be high. And as you know, I like to keep expectations low.”

Ifs Knows Would Be Asks Answers Lows Expectations

Author:George W. Bush

“Nobody really likes to be lectured a lot. And, therefore, if you want to be an effective person, what you don't do is scold the person publicly all the time.”

Ifs Want Persons Likes

Author:George W. Bush

“What's all this whining about the environment? They're always talking about 'stop the clearcuts.' I mean do the math people. If we were out of trees then we wouldn't have any clearcuts to be complaining about now would we?”

People Ifs Mean Talking Environment Tree Math Complaining Whining

Author:George W. Bush

“The great tradition of America is one where people can worship the way they want to worship. And if they choose not to worship, they're just as patriotic as your neighbor. That is an essential part of why we are a great nation. If you're a Jew or a Christian or a Muslim, you're equally American.”

People Ifs Way Want Christian America Nations Essentials Worship Tradition Jew Neighbor Patriotic Great Nations

Author:George W. Bush

“Look, history is interesting. I read three books on George Washington last year. And my opinion is that if they're still analyzing the first president, the 43rd president ought to be doing what he thinks is right. And eventually, historians will come and realize whether... the decisions I made made sense.”

Ifs Thinking Years Firsts Looks Made Stills Book Lasts Three President Realizing Decision Interesting Opinion Ought Historian Last Year Analyzing

Author:George W. Bush

“We have a duty to our country to participate in the political process. See, if you believe in freedom, you have a duty to exercise your right to vote to begin with. I'm [here] to encourage people to do their duty, to go to the polls. I want all people, no matter what their political party is or whether they even like a political party, to exercise their obligation to vote.”

People Ifs Want Believe Country Matter Political Process Party Duty Exercise Vote No Matter What Obligation Our Country Political Parties Polls If You Believe Right To Vote

Author:George W. Bush

“In a time of war, the president must have the power he needs to make the tough decisions, including, if need be, the decision to grant himself even more power.”

Ifs Needs War President Decision Tough Including Grants Tough Decisions

Author:George W. Bush

“In my judgement, when the United States says there will be serious consequences, and if there isn't serious consequences, it creates adverse consequences.”

Ifs States United United States Serious Consequence Judgement Adverse Funny Bush

Author:George W. Bush

“If Iraq fails to fully comply, the United States and other nations will disarm Saddam Hussein.”

Ifs States Nations United United States Failing Iraq Saddam Hussein

Author:George W. Bush

“If the Iraqi regime is able to produce, buy or steal an amount of highly enriched uranium a little larger than a single softball, [it] could have a nuclear weapon in less than a year.”

Ifs Years Littles Able Produce Amount Weapons Nuclear Stealing Regimes Nuclear Weapons Softball Uranium

Author:George W. Bush

“If our commanders on the ground say we need more troops, I will send them. But our commanders tell me they have the number of troops they need to do their job. Sending more Americans would undermine our strategy of encouraging Iraqis to take the lead in this fight. And sending more Americans would suggest that we intend to stay forever, when we are, in fact, working for the day when Iraq can defend itself and we can leave.”

Ifs Needs Facts Jobs Fighting Numbers Forever Strategy Iraq Troops Commanders Lead In

Author:George W. Bush

“Should any Iraqi officer or soldier receive an order from Saddam Hussein.... don't follow that order. Because if you choose to do so, when Iraq is liberated, you will be treated, tried and persecuted as a war criminal.”

Ifs Should War Order Soldier Iraq Criminals Treated Officers You Choose Saddam Hussein Liberated Persecuted

Author:George W. Bush

“If you find a neighbor in need, you're responsible for serving that neighbor in need, you're responsible for loving a neighbor just like you'd like to love yourself.”

Ifs Needs Love You Like You Responsible Neighbor Serving Love Yourself Need You

Author:George W. Bush

“If you look at my policies they're all aimed at empowering people to make their own decisions.”

People Ifs Looks Decision Policy Empowering

Author:George W. Bush

“If you're a poor worker - this is for new workers coming into the workplace - your benefits will increase at the current rate of increase. If you're a wealthier worker, your benefits would increase at the rate of inflation. And those changes would affect positively the unfunded liabilities inherent in Social Security.”

Ifs Social Poor Security Benefits Increase Workers Rate Currents Inherent Workplace Social Security Inflation Positively Liability

Author:George W. Bush

“I believe the world would have been a lot worse off if Saddam [Hussein] were in power today.”

Ifs World Believe Has Beens Today I Believe Saddam Hussein

Author:George W. Bush

“Just like we did in Japan, in South Korea. Just like is happening in Iraq. Laura [Bush] and I feel very strongly that if the United States were to leave.”

Ifs Feels States United United States Happenings South Iraq Japan Very Strong Korea Laura South Korea

Author:George W. Bush

“Something that is completely unwinnable. I mean, it becomes unwinnable if we decide to leave [Afghanistan].”

Ifs Mean Afghanistan

Author:George W. Bush

“I hope I'm as graceful and gracious as [my parents] are. It's hard for me to project how I'm gonna be if I make it to 86.”

Ifs Hard Parent Projects Gracious

Author:George W. Bush

“If I look back to when I was 20 and somebody said you'd be president, I would have said no way.”

Ifs Way Looks Said President

Author:George W. Bush

“There are a lot of tactical decisions that, if I could have done them over, I would have.”

Ifs Done Decision If I Could Tactical

Author:George W. Bush

“My hope was that by saying clearly to Saddam Hussein, "we're going to enforce UN Resolutions," that he would make the decision to leave peaceably and at least allow for inspectors to come into his country, and if he chose not to, there would be a military option. I want people to understand that the military was my last option. I had a strategy and hopefully solving the problem peacefully - and it wasn't just me, it was a coalition of nations that were involved.”

People Ifs Want Country Problem Would Be Lasts Nations Decision Military Involved Strategy Hopefully Resolution Saddam Hussein Coalitions Inspectors

Author:George W. Bush

“One of the biggest sacrifices in running for President, if there is one, is the loss of anonymity.”

Ifs Running President Loss Sacrifice Anonymity

Author:George W. Bush

“If someone came to me and said, "Your strategy in your post-presidency is brilliant," as if I had figured out a way to make me look better, to me, that analysis is amusing.”

Ifs Way Looks Said Strategy Brilliant Posts Analysis Presidency Amusing

Author:George W. Bush

“If you are young child and you've lost mother and dad to AIDS and rich nations sit on the sidelines not caring, you will become a frustrated person and a hopeless person.”

Ifs Children Persons Young Mother Lost Nations Rich Dad Caring Aids Hopeless Frustrated Young Children Not Caring Sidelines

Author:George W. Bush

“If you read with empathy what Lincoln went through, then you realize what you're going through is nothing compared to what he went through.”

Ifs Realizing Empathy

Author:George W. Bush

“No one wants to be a polarizer, but on the other hand, if you think you're doing right and you believe the decisions you make will lead to a better tomorrow, then they're worthy of defense.”

Ifs Thinking Want Believe Hands Decision Tomorrow Worthy Defense Doing Right Decisions You Make Better Tomorrow

Author:George W. Bush

“The Iraqis needed to know that we weren't going to leave them alone. No matter how difficult it was, the United States would help them realize the universal desire to be free. Now of course, if you didn't believe in the universality of freedom, then of course, you wouldn't act. I care how they live and I believe a free Iraq will be transformative.”

Ifs Knows Believe Matter States Helping Care Desire Courses I Believe Difficult Realizing United United States Needed Universal Iraq I Care Universality

Author:George W. Bush

“You have to be optimistic about golf. I mean it's physically demanding, particularly if you're on one leg. But it's psychologically demanding regardless of your physical infirmities. I mean, it's a tough sport. You've got to be disciplined and optimistic. And if you have a bad hole, you've got to be optimistic that you'll do well on the next hole.”

Ifs Wells Mean Next Sports Tough Golf Legs Holes Optimistic Infirmity Being Optimistic

Author:George W. Bush

“I think if you know what you believe, it makes it a lot easier to answer questions. I can't answer your question.”

Ifs Thinking Knows Believe I Can Humor Political Answers Easier

Author:George W. Bush

“Well, I think if you say you're going to do something and don't do it, that's trustworthiness.”

Ifs Thinking Wells Humor Inspiration Political Education Laughter Bushism Trustworthiness Funny Bush

Author:George W. Bush

“If you don't stand for anything, you don't stand for anything!”

Author:George W. Bush

“I believe the most solemn duty of the American president is to protect the American people. If America shows uncertainty and weakness in this decade, the world will drift toward tragedy. This will not happen on my watch.”

People Ifs World Believe Shows Happens America I Believe President Watches Duty Protect Weakness Tragedy Decades Uncertainty Solemn American President

Author:George W. Bush

“If you're sick and tired of the politics of cynicism and polls and principles, come and join this campaign.”

Ifs Humor Funny Political Principles Sick Tired Witty Campaigns Cynicism Polls Bushism Funny Bush Polling Opinion Polls

Author:George W. Bush

“Our Founding Fathers understood that our country would survive and flourish if our Nation was committed to good character and an unyielding dedication to liberty and justice for all.”

Ifs Country Character Father Nations Justice Liberty Understood Committed Our Country Dedication Founding Our Founding Fathers Good Character Unyielding Liberty And Justice Justice For All Liberty And Justice For All

Author:George W. Bush

“I had watched Dad climb into the biggest arena and succeed. I wanted to find out if I had what it took to join him.”

Ifs Wanted Father Dad Succeed Climbs Arena Fathers Day

Book:Decision Points

Source: Decision Points

“If we don't stop extending our troops all around the world in nation-building missions, we're going to have a serious problem coming down the road.”

“These people are trying to shake the will of the Iraqi citizens, and they want us to leave...I think the world would be better off if we did leave.”

People Ifs Thinking World Want Trying War Would Be Peace Citizens Shakes Anti War Antiwar Better Off Want U

Author:George W. Bush

“...The God I know is one that promotes peace and freedom. But I get great sustenance from my personal relationship. That doesn't make me think I'm a better person than you are, by the way. Because one of the great admonitions in the Good Book is, don't try to take a speck out of your eye if I've got a log in my own.”

Ifs Thinking Knows Way Trying Persons Book Eye Faith My Own Good Book Better Person Personal Relationships Sustenance Specks Admonition

Author:George W. Bush

“But I'm mindful in a free society that people can worship if they want to or not. You're equally an American if you choose to worship an Almighty and if you choose not to. If you're a Christian, Jew or Muslim you're equally an American. That's the great thing about America is the right to worship the way you see fit. Prayer and religion sustain me. I receive calmness in the storms of the presidency. I love the fact that people pray for me and my family all around the country. Somebody asked me one time, how do you know? I said I just feel it.”

“Not far from here where we gather today is a symbol of freedom familiar to all Americans -- the Liberty Bell. When the Declaration of Independence was first read in public, the Liberty Bell was sounded in celebration, and a witness said: "It rang as if it meant something."”

Ifs Firsts Said Today Freedom Liberty Independence Familiar Symbols Witness Celebration Bells Declaration Declaration Of Independence Liberty Bell

Author:George W. Bush

“Faith-based organizations also need a guarantee they will not be forced to give up their right to hire people of their own faith as the price of competing for federal money. If we want this program to be effective and to save lives, people have got to say interfacing with government will not cause me to lose my mission.”

People Ifs Want Needs Giving Government Religion Causes Loses Atheism Giving Up Program Organization Missions Guarantees Competing Save A Life Faith Based

Author:George W. Bush

“I strongly believe that marriage should be defined as between a man and a woman. I'm troubled by activist judges who are defining marriage. I've watched carefully what's happened in San Francisco where licenses were being issued, even though the law states otherwise. I have consistently stated that I will support law to protect marriage between a man and a woman. And obviously these events are influencing my decision.”

Ifs Men Should Believe States Law Decision Support Happened Influence Events Judging Gay Protect Defined Activist Consistently License Defining San Francisco Gay Marriage Licenses

Author:George W. Bush

“I've set a clear doctrine: America makes no distinction between the terrorists and the countries that harbor them. If you harbor a terrorist, you're just as guilty as the terrorists, and you're an enemy of the United States of America.”

Ifs Country States America United Enemy United States Clear Conservative Terrorist Doctrine Guilty Distinction United States Of America Harbors

Author:George W. Bush

“I'm oftentimes asked, What difference does it make to America if people are dying of malaria in a place like Ghana? It means a lot. It means a lot morally, it means a lot from a -- it's in our national interest.”

People Ifs Mean Doe America Interest Differences Dying National Interests Malaria Ghana

Author:George W. Bush

“As Americans, we want peace - we work and sacrifice for peace. But there can be no peace if our security depends on the will and whims of a ruthless and aggressive dictator. I'm not willing to stake one American life on trusting Saddam Hussein.”

Ifs Want Leadership Sacrifice Security Willing Depends Aggressive Stakes Dictator Saddam Hussein Ruthless Whim American Life

Author:George W. Bush

“I would still invade Iraq even if Iraq never existed”

Ifs Stills Iraq

Author:George W. Bush

“One reason I like to highlight reading is, reading is the beginnings of the ability to be a good student. And if you can't read, it's going to be hard to realize dreams, it's going to be hard to go to college. So when your teachers say, read - you ought to listen to her.”

Ifs Hard Reason Dream Humor Political Reading Realizing Ability Teacher Students College Ought Cant Highlights Good Students

Author:George W. Bush

“I dont want to win? If that were the case why the heck am I on the bus 16 hours a day, shaking thousands of hands, giving hundreds of speeches, getting pillared in the press and cartoons and still staying on message to win?”

Ifs Want Giving Stills Humor Hands Political Winning Hours Cases Speech Messages Presses Staying Bus Cartoon Shaking

Author:George W. Bush

“I do not agree with this notion that somehow if I go to try to attract votes and to lead people toward a better tomorrow somehow I get subscribed to some-some doctrine gets subscribed to me.”

People Ifs Trying Humor Political Tomorrow Vote Agree Notion Doctrine Better Tomorrow

Author:George W. Bush

About the Author

Born: July 6, 1946
Known for: 43rd U.S. President
Quotes: 1655

Related Topics

People Political Humor America Political Humor Bushism World President Thinking Ifs Knows Nations Country States War Way Want Believe Funny Bush United

Popular Topics

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Books & Sources

Public paper of the presidents of the United StatesRelated source material

The George W. Bush Foreign Policy Reader: Presidential Speeches and CommentaryRelated source material

Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, George W. Bush, 2004, Book 2, July 1 to September 30, 2004Related source material

Decision PointsRelated source material

U.S. Presidential Inaugural AddressesRelated source material

41: A Portrait of My FatherRelated source material

Inaugural Speeches from the Presidents of the United States - Complete EditionRelated source material

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